Chapter 61

He hands each of us a piece while Dustin passes them out.

Evan struts to the door first, cracking it open. I look outside over his shoulder, seeing the land surrounding the small building empty. I don’t know exactly where this place is or what the Sunset Pointe pack uses it for, but they’re not here now. Ravi had mentioned something about the moon forcing all of the lykoswulves to change. Maybe they have already gone into the forest, and now they lie in wait.

Ravi said he wouldn’t help me through this, yet I know he hasn’t gone too far. I doubt he will risk something happening to me with the moon. He just refuses to help the guys unless I give him what he desires. Which isn’t happening... because fuck that.

“We need to follow the cliff’s edge. It should lead to the beach.” Breck scopes the area, sliding past Evan to exit the building first.

“If anyone feels any sort of pain besides what we already experience, tell us immediately.” Evan holds his hand to me, quietly asking me to stay by his side. I give in to his need, linking our fingers together. “It’ll at least give us a small warning before things get real.”

Jeff shakes out his hands and whips his messy hair back and forth. “I’m not looking forward to this shit. I already feel like death. I can’t imagine it getting even worse.”

I frown, popping out my bottom lip. “It’s one night. We can do it.” It sounds as if I’m convincing myself more than anyone else.

Maybe I am. I’m scared. I don’t want my body to break and crack and turn into a monstrous beast.

Zev comes up to my other side and takes my hand. We still haven’t had the chance to talk after whatever happened with him in the cave, but I’m glad he doesn’t ignore me now. I guess coming close to death gives people a reason to forgive or at least realize that there are more important things than a little jealousy.

“We need to protect Sasha at all costs. If the wolves get her, her fate will be far worse than any of ours. She is the most important.” Zev squeezes my fingers, offering me a tight smile. He’s trying to resonate bravery, but I can sense the fear working through him. It’s strange, cold and palpable, almost as if it’s my own.

I inhale a deep breath, pushing it away. “My life is no more important than yours. Don’t do anything rash. I don’t want you sacrificing yourselves on my behalf. Like I said before, we are in this together. We are going to be a pack.”

Dustin rests his hands on my shoulders, kissing my cheek from behind. “Our fearless leader.”

If only I felt like it.

Without another word, we walk toward the cliff, keeping our distance from the edge yet traveling alongside it. The vast ocean, even though it’s dark and foreboding, is really beautiful. A halo of light illuminates the island Ravi pointed out, making it look as if it glows in the dark. Starrise Island. It probably has even worse monsters than Shadow Moon.

“Everyone hold onto each other. It’s time to start a bad bromance.” Breck wiggles his fingers at Evan. “Come on, doc. You promised to protect me too. Consider this me putting out.”

I can’t stop the giggle escaping my lips. How Breck manages to joke despite everything? I wish I had that ability.

The eerie silence of the night kicks my heart into overdrive. It’s too quiet. The wolves stop howling until we’re left with the roar of the ocean and the pounding of our hearts.

“Sasha,” two familiar voices say in unison, invading my mind.

“Brace yourself. Females feel the call first,” Dante says, his voice separating from Ravi’s.

“Last chance.” Ravi’s warning resonates through me, overpowering Dante’s attempt to stay connected with my mind.

Muscle spasms rip through me, stiffening my body. My legs give out on me, and if Evan and Zev weren’t holding my hands, I’d hit the ground. The agony coursing through me makes it impossible to speak. I can’t think. All I can do is cry.

“Fuck. It’s happening. We need to move as fast as we can.” Evan picks me up in his arms, cradling me. He whispers in my ear, his breath panting as he risks jogging down the steep terrain.

“The moon isn’t even high yet. The asshole lied to her.” Jeff growls with his words. “He probably set us up.”

Breck clears his throat. “He didn’t know it would claim her so suddenly. Their bond just alerted him. Pheromones or some shit. It’s a wolf thing.”

“It could be her lineage with the Crystalrock pack.” Dustin’s voice pushes through the pounding in my head.

“How the hell do either of you know this?” Jeff asks.

The world shakes as Evan keeps his speed and his movements even out. I blink through my tears, my body spasming as imaginary fire licks across my flesh. I think we’ve made it to the beach, but I can’t be sure.

Evan inhales and exhales, his heartbeat steady against my shoulder. “Ravi told us. He’s in my mind. I think because one of his packmates bit me.”

“Dante told me,” Dustin adds, popping into view as he stands next to Evan.

“Damn it. This must mean I’m going to be hunted by a different pack, huh? What about you, Jeff? Do you hear anything yet?”

Evander touches my cheek, moving my hair from my face.

“Nothing but silence. What if that means...?” He doesn’t finish his question, and I realize he might be thinking if he doesn’t hear what the others hear that maybe he won’t transform.